5-star Austrian hotel is first to feature guestrooms with hidden locks and access devices

PARIS - February 18, 2013 - VingCard
Elsafe, the global leader in hospitality security and part of the ASSA
ABLOY Group, has installed the world's first invisible door lock at the
5-star Hotel Bristol in Vienna. Essence by VingCard is a revolutionary
concept in hospitality security, taking minimalist design to the
extreme by eliminating all lock hardware on the door. Essence encases
all electronic components inside the door itself to make the access
devices practically invisible to hotel guests.

Hotel door locks have long posed a challenge to hotel design
professionals tasked with blending thelocking hardware into the hotel
décor. Lock manufacturers have made strides in recent years by
minimizing the hardware and incorporating new technologies such as RFID
and NFC, but visible card readers had remained on the door exterior,
giving hotels a distinctly commercial feel in the hallway. Essence by
VingCard solves that dilemma, hiding the locking components from the
user and allowing designers to align the guestroom doors with the
current trend toward a more residential look in hotel design, without
compromising security in any way.

"The moment I was introduced to the Essence by VingCard lock, I was
struck by the minimalistic design and I realized that it would help the
hotel to become even more elegant and beautiful, perfectly fitting into
our Art Deco design," says Matthias Winkler, co-owner of the 150-room
Hotel Bristol. "Essence has allowed us to create a clean design in our
hallways, giving it a modern sophistication that is simply unmatched by
any other luxury hotel in Vienna."

VingCard Elsafe's suite of RFID locking systems feature contactless
access control via Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) encoded
communication and secure anti-cloning software. Additionally, VingCard
Elsafe RFID solutions are designed to be easily adapted to Near Field
Communication (NFC) technology that is expected to be in widespread use
globally within a few years and which will enable travelers to use
mobile devices as room keys. Both communication protocols are
compatible with Essence by VingCard locks.

In addition to the obvious aesthetic benefits for hoteliers, Essence by
VingCard also minimizes several other operational challenges inherent
to guestroom locking hardware, such as integration, installation and
maintenance. Essence by VingCard is compatible with VingCard Elsafe's
patented VISIONLINE system, a proprietary wireless networking platform
that connects standalone electronic locks and other guestroom devices
and systems, via a central property server.

"We are very excited about the debut of our Essence lock at the Hotel
Bristol Vienna, and would like to express our gratitude to Andreas
Spitzer from Ameya GmbH, our business partner in Austria and everyone
involved who made this possible," said Tim Shea, global president of
VingCard Elsafe. "We look forward to implementing this unique design
and security solution at additional properties around the globe."

VingCard Elsafe is the world leader in developing locking systems and
electronic in-room safes for the hospitality industry, offering
user-friendly security systems that meet the unique operational needs
of hotels and resorts. For more information, please visit
www.vingcardelsafe.com.

About VingCard Elsafe
The world leader in hotel security technology, ASSA ABLOY Hospitality
has products installed in more than 42,000 properties worldwide,
securing in excess of 7 million hotel rooms and is part of the ASSA
ABLOY Group, a publicly listed company. VingCard provides numerous
electronic locking system solutions, including traditional
magnetic-stripe, smartcard systems and the latest RFID electronic locks
compatible with the main ISO standards: ISO 14.443A (MIFARE), ISO
14.443B, ISO15.693 and NFC-compatible (Near Field Communication), fully
integrated PMS interface software solutions, as well as the world
leader in wireless online locking solutions for hotels based on ZigBee
secured open platform. VingCard has worldwide service and support in
more than 166 countries. Elsafe provides the only UL-listed (1037)
hotel safe series on the market today in keypad and card-based models.
Elsafe Safes include a UL-listed internal power outlet to support
recharging of laptops and camcorders, full wireless online capabilities
and RFID versions compatible with VingCard system. Elsafe customers
also enjoy the same worldwide service and support. Orion by VingCard
Elsafe is the new Energy Management Solution that reduces energy
consumption, ensures guest comfort and contributes to improve hotels
green initiatives. The ASSA ABLOY Hospitality Group is dedicated to the
hospitality industry. For more information on VingCard Elsafe, visit
www.vingcardelsafe.com.

About Hotel Bristol, Vienna
A member of Starwood Hotels & Resorts' prestigious Luxury
Collection, Hotel Bristol opened in 1892. The hotel, which is located
adjacent to the Vienna State Opera, boasts 140 rooms and suites,
including the legendary Prince of Wales Suite. Throughout the 5-star
Hotel Bristol Vienna, find antiques of the fin de siècle harmoniously
combined with the latest technology providing an authentic stay. The
5-star hotel in Vienna is a place for unforgettable moments. For
reservations and more information, visit
www.bristolvienna.com.